3.10.2008

It's National MS Awareness Week. Since my diagnosis in December 2005, I've tried my best to be a positive advocate for the fight against MS. It's a pretty devastating diagnosis for most people, but there's always two ways to view the world, and I've tried to my best to think positively and share that positivity with others. That doesn't mean I don't have days/weeks/months where I cry my eyes out and wish I was a normal, healthy person. When I'm in the middle of an exacerbation it's pretty hard to think positively-I can't see normally, I'm fatigued, I'm moody, and I panic about not being able to raise my kids. Luckily, exacerbations are few and far between and during the good times I almost forget that I have the disease. It's during these times that I try to make changes that will help me long-term. Things like turning to a vegetarian diet, consistent exercise, yoga, keeping up-to-date on research, and being a positive advocate by participating in fundraising for research and sharing my experience with others. There are lots of ways you can be an advocate too (exciting, right?!). This June, Team Iron Myelin will be again be participating in the MS Bike Tour-Logan event. You can join our team (I'll be doing 30 miles since I'll be 4-5 weeks postpartum, while the rest of the team will probably do 75 {now might be a good time to remind you guys to register as well!}). The team password for registering is: anderson. You can also help by sponsoring our team financially (it's tax deductible!). Even a donation of $5 helps.

8 comments:

My awareness for MS was virtually zilch before I met you, so if it's any consultation you're doing a great job! You are completely entitled to what you call "exacerbations" but from what I've seen you are so positive it makes my brain explode. We'll be registering for the ride ASAP.

Thanks for all of the information that you've shared with me Liz! It has made a world of difference while going through this, sometimes frustrating, experience. You are a great advocate and one heck of a friend! :)

i'm liz and i love to create. i also really love to take pictures. steve is my husband who has some mean dance moves. you can call him stevie bevie, esquire. nash is our boy. he's pretty darn cool. and haven is our big-cheeked girl who's as sweet & crazy as they come. we stay in our pajamas too late, eat cookiesoatmeal and spinach smoothies for breakfast, and have daily dance-offs with taylor dayne. let's just say that sweet moves run in the family.